How to Approach Modelling Agencies // A Photographer's Guide

[@BenjaminKanarek]

Good advice. However, I might suggest a few more things. I suggest that you state that you are putting together a 4 to 8-page beauty test or 6 to 10-page fashion test, as the possibility for syndicating the "test" i.e. a magazine picking it up is possible. Due to the COVID crises, magazines are searching for content, as productions are down significantly. My licensing agency in New York has sold several of my shoots for magazines to several other magazines as a result of the COVID situation. I would also recommend, that if the photographer cannot get a stylist that can get looks that haven't yet been published or in season, they will not be able to be published, as it will already be too late. So finding a stylist that has access to the fashion houses newest collections is imperative in giving the shoot credibility. If doing a beauty shoot, you should find a make-up artist who can cite the most recent make-up collections, especially if they plan on trying to get the images published. So cutting a deal with Dior, Chanel, Lancome, etc via the make-up artist would be beneficial. I.e. makeup by Dior... in the credits. Always treat your story whether it is beauty, still life or fashion as if it is a commissioned shoot. The theme and mood board should follow the trends showing i.e. the current collections and as you are in the Southern Hemisphere that should also be a consideration. I also suggest using the ipso facto only source for credible fashion models.com to find "credible" agencies, because even if the girl is a new face but is with a credible agency, it means they are banking on her/his success and may eventually be the next Top Models.com 50 models. Always tell the agency that you will be submitting your story to one of the hundreds of independent press Fashion Magazines that accept submissions. That will attract their attention more than a mere test. I haven't done submissions for over 20 years, all of my shoots are commissioned, but it is a great way to get your name around. You may visit my blog thebkmag.com and type in "hOw to do a fashion shoot" or "the politics of fashion" or "Haute Couture" to find valuable info to get started. Some are dated but are still totally relevant.

[@stephany4969]

thank you so much for this.

[@rheaganlee9684]

Thank you soooo much for this!

[@JohnSansomPhoto]

Great advice Kayleigh! One suggestion for those starting out testing with agencies is to also ask the agency if there are any particular images that they need for the models book. Maybe they have a beauty casting coming up, so awesome clean portraits would be appreciated. Maybe they are putting the model forward for more runway work and so full length shots that showcase the models height/movement are favoured etc. Every agency is different, some are happy with whatever images you select, retouch and return, others like to be involved/make selects. It helps to ask this and establish expectations up front.

[@koertvanrooijen8186]

I have my first shoot with an agency model this week. Super excited! Thanks for the great tips!!

[@srawpdf]

hi! How much experience did you have in photography until you landed this shoot? And did you have a professional website before you did?

[@funmilayoakhigbe7797]

This video arrives just in time. I'm collaborating with different agencies taking pictures of different new faces, but I was wondering when a photographer starts earning in the fashion field. I hope to get an answer. Thank you so much for the very useful viedo !!

[@KayleighJune]

I'm so glad you've found the video to be helpful! 😊 It's definitely a coincidence that you've asked this question because I have some upcoming content that will hopefully be perfect for you! It's content that I will be releasing within the next few weeks, so keep an eye out! 😁

[@clicksation]

Great question. I'm trying to learn the same. By the way I have done multiple collaborations with agency signed models already without going through an agency. But I think doing test shoots still would help build a relationship with the agency?

[@Stephie_L]

@@clicksation Yes I'm interested in that. How does that work?...If you're shooting with signed models without approaching the agency? I know some models accept work if contact them via instagram. How much do you pay them and are they allowed to sign a model release if you want to use their image for stock/ prints on your website and not just portfolio? Thanks

[@chrisconner1811]

Great advice..! I'm building my fashion portfolio and found this to be extremely useful.

[@vadimivanov4471]

Kayleigh, thanks! I just wanted to write to a model agency. But I didn't know what to write and how to write a letter. Now I know!

[@giovannybanuelos6604]

You’re amazing!! There’s barely any info on this topic!

[@KayleighJune]

Thanks so much Giovanny! I'm glad you find it helpful 😊

[@WayneGoss]

Lovely seeing you again :)

[@KayleighJune]

Thanks Wayne! 🙂❤

[@wowza3036]

Hello Wayne! 😍👋

[@ivazi5823]

Thank you so much for this video. Im struggling with this for so long and I still haven't contacted any agency because I didn't want to make a mistake. 1st impression is only once. 🙏🏻

[@KayleighJune]

I'm so glad this video was helpful for you! Thanks so much for watching ☺❤

[@vivekvishwakarma1253]

Thank you, Kayleigh.

[@saadbellakhdar8133]

Thank you for the email template, As a non native speaker i find it really hard to write a proper email to an agency as i keep on thinking so much on the details to the point where i give up and it ends up in the drafts.

[@Sabote64]

Thank you, these are the droids I was looking for

[@KayleighJune]

Hehe, no worries! 😂

[@photosbyanette3222]

Thank you! As always great info!

[@KayleighJune]

No worries! Thank you for watching 😊

[@ari.miriam]

how many modeling agencies would you recommend doing free test shoots for before starting to charge? can you make a video about starting to charge agencies?

[@rynsouaidi]

This video arrives at the perfect timing. It's exactly the video I needed. Thanks for this! But I was wondering, how do you begin to work with hairdressers, MUA's and stylists? Like, I once contacted a model agency for a shoot with their new faces and they asked me if I ever worked with a make up artist. I said no and they just didn't responded. So... is working with mua's, stylists etc through collaborations?

[@clicksation]

It's the same way as collaborating with models. Always better to get at least a MUA involved. Try FB groups if you have in your city or simply try reaching out on Instagram. I find everyone just through Instagram.

[@omarfranko1]

helpful as always!

[@artemisfowl9002]

very useful info, just wondering when your masterclass course is next available

[@KayleighJune]

Hi there! I'll be definitely posting more updates on the course + mentoring very soon! If you sign up for email updates over at my blog, you'll be the first to know. 😃 www.kayleighjuneblog.com/

[@annacherryhomes477]

Thank you so much for posting this!

[@KayleighJune]

No problem! Thanks for watching! 😀

[@abhishekbhatt6176]

How to start a modeling agency and contact brand to get assignment for models?

[@yo-cn1cw]

I have the space just need a team and budget BK NYC

[@paintingvideos5848]

If I get no reply should I send a follow up email?

[@kristenhelfman]

So helpful, thank you!!

[@cloudsilver1]

Thank you Kayleigh, this was super helpful! I was wondering once we decided on the model with the booker.. do I forward the model release form directly to the agent first? Or do I just have the model sign on the day of the shoot?

[@allenhunter86]

Could you do another of these that shows how to get paid work/ who clients would be? Every agency in my city wants me to shoot their models but for test purposes. I know I’m in a good spot in regards to quality of my work, I just don’t know who I should aim at for paid work. Most models don’t want to pay for a test shoot when there’s soooo many photographers looking to shoot to build their own ports.

[@KayleighJune]

It's such a coincidence that you've posted this because I have some upcoming content that is fairly specific to this. 😁 Hopefully the content I'll be posting within the next few weeks will be helpful for you! ❤

[@F4lcooon]

I actually own a modeling agency, and we receive a lot of e-mails from photographers about both free and paid work. Suprisingly, the photographers that want to get paid are usually worse skill-wise than those who just want to do free test shots, so theres no point in paying them. We only pay our own photographer for polaroids, videos and first photo session with our new models, so we have something to put on our website - i do believe thats the only way to get paid as photographer while working with "smaller" agencies.

[@F4lcooon]

forgot to add, we also pay when we are in a hurry to get as many good quality photoshots as possible before our models leave for contracts, so your best aim would be to hit agencies up early summer/late spring ;)

[@allenhunter86]

wolololol awesome thank you!!! What’s your agency?

[@KayleighJune]

@@F4lcooon Fabulous advice! Thank you for adding this information! 😊 I think a lot of younger photographers probably don't realise that getting paid by an agency for tests can be quite a difficult thing to achieve!

[@alinamalina07]

Such a useful video! Thank you so much 🙏🏻

[@KayleighJune]

No problem! Thanks for watching ☺

[@jamesamoh7340]

This helps a lot. Thank you for doing this. Just wondering if you ever use your photoshop colour grading base action presets on photos that weren’t in the studio but natural light only. 🙏

[@KayleighJune]

Thanks for watching! 😊 Sometimes I do! But primarily most of my work is done in studio these days, so I don't often get the chance haha. 😁

[@stevenmeansphotography3861]

Some people do not work off no mood boards some people free style the shots they take

[@saadbellakhdar8133]

thank you for this

[@yadniii1775]

Hi! Just wondering when you’ll be doing retouching courses again?

[@KayleighJune]

Hi Ariadne! I'll be releasing more information on this soon, however it will hopefully be within the next few months! If you sign up for my email updates over on my blog, you'll be the first to know when they're released! (Link down below) 😊 www.kayleighjuneblog.com/

[@yadniii1775]

Kayleigh June alright thanks! I was a bit too late to sign up on the last one 😅

[@ralidanailova4705]

What subjects you are writing 😊

[@i--luv--the--universe]

Do you ask the model from the agency to sign a model release for a test shoot?

[@stevenmeansphotography3861]

I have did all these things never no response Or they will say we have no models at this time

[@oj7574]

im sorry but the download link is not working is it possible if you could fix it?

[@808rocker808]

Could you make a similar video for paid agency work please.

[@alexcastellanosleon]

Got to be more careful about those drum sounds when you hit the table

[@dougreid9207]

Why don't they make it easier to send a photograph to a model agency at least one or two pictures I have a granddaughter is 22 years of age college graduate absolutely gorgeous five six

[@tytraulich4987]

I’m in Minneapolis. Id think that Indonesia would be a better fit. The gene pool is too strong in the US. Men simply are better fit, US men than foreign countries. I’d do boxer/brief